“There you are. You’re branded,” Ollie said, tapping the side of Amy’s neck with a grin. “Now everyone will know you’re mine. ”
Amy laughed and pushed his hand away.
“So then. Hiya. Oh, are you journaling? ”
“Journaling?
No, if you must know, I’m doing a food order. ” Ollie held up his phone. “But since you mention it, I had the most wonderful evening with the most super girl last night. What a hoot.
”
“Well, it’s funny you say that, because the girl had a super time too. ”
He smirked. “Do me a favour, then, and get some more prawn cocktail crisps in the order. I go mad for them, eh?
Which is weird, because prawn cocktails usually make me vomit. Big time. ”
“No, it’s ingredients for the hot food, duh. But did you just call me super?
”
“I did. I definitely did. ” He leaned in. “Listen, I’m going to my mate’s party tonight in Fallowfield.
A student thing. Do you fancy tagging along? ”
“Students as in uni students? ”
“Come on, we’ll have a laugh.
It’s not going to be like reading and that, is it? ”
“Well, I don’t know. If you were some posh writer, like the Hunger Games woman, for example, you might think it was. ”
“Did a woman write the Hunger Games?
”
“I know, Ollie. We’re getting the boat. ” Amy rolled her eyes. “Let’s get in the bleedin’ parcel for Driscoll.
”
They walked on, and when the delivery van pulled up, Ollie fetched the package. “Oh, cheers, mate. Get a picture. Oh, for the parcel.
Yeah, that’s mine. Cheers, mate. ”
Amy raised an eyebrow. “Really?
”
“Really. ”
“Wonder what he’s been ordering,” she mused. “Personality? ”
Ollie laughed, then noticed two teenagers leaning against his car.
“Oi! Will you get off there? How’d you like it if I came round your gaff and leant against your dad’s motor? ”
“Probably kick your head in,” one of them shot back.
“I’ll get Joyce to kick your head in if you don’t shift it. Come on. ”
Amy tugged his arm. “Yeah, we need to get to school anyway.
”
“Yes, you do,” one of the lads muttered. “Huh? What’s that on his neck? ” Ollie squinted.
“He’s got a massive love bite on his neck. ”
“Oh, do you want your ginormous plaid? Come on,” Amy said, trying to pull him away. Just then, George stepped out of the office.
“Excuse me, Todd. I don’t really think we need to be squabbling with teenagers on the street when we’ve got important clients inside, do we? ”
“No, George. As you were, lads.
As you were. ”
“As you were, what? ” Amy muttered under her breath. Inside, Todd was already at the desk.
“Great. Milk and two sugars, and bacon butty with loads of brown sauce. ”
Amy jumped. “Hey.
Did I make you jump? ”
“Uh, yeah, you did a bit, yeah. ”
“I know you’re dead busy, because Shona’s with Harper and all that, and I just wanted to do you a bit of service. So, yeah.
”
“No. No, no, it’s thank you. ” Todd paused. “Does my sister not know I made you breakfast this morning?
”
“What? Uh, she says she doesn’t like bringing her work home with her, so. ”
“All right, well, as long as I’m sticking around, you can rely on me to keep you straight, don’t you think? It’s the least I can do, innit?
”
“Yeah. ” Amy hesitated. “I just don’t want you to think you’re overstretching yourself, that’s all. ”
“Hey, I did a lot of gymnastics as a kid.
Stretching’s my middle name. ”
“Right, well, I’ll see you later. ”
“I’ll see you first. ” Todd pointed at the small mark on her neck.
“You going to take that off? Makes you look like you’re stopping. ”
“I’ll explain later. But it’s ridiculous.
”
A few moments later, the office door opened, and a woman with a face like a bag of spanners walked in. “Hey, I wonder what this meeting’s about,” Amy whispered to Todd. “Quite excited, you know. ”
“I imagine she just wants to thank us for giving her mother such a special send-off,” Todd replied.
The woman looked anything but grateful. “No wonder you’re grinning like the Cheshire Cat,” she said to Todd. “You must be laughing all the way to the bank. ”
“Sorry?
”
“Oh, you will be by the time I’ve finished with you. ” She turned to Amy. “My poor mother, a kindly, God-fearing woman, and you manipulated her. Took advantage of her in her last few days just to get your name in the will.
”
“I did no such thing. ”
“Oh, yeah? Well, how come she’s left you a fortune? ”
Todd blinked.
“Has she? ”
“She has. Her life savings. Best part of ten grand.
”
Amy shook her head. “I can assure you, I pride myself on being professional right down to my fingertips. ”
“Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And what do you do with those fingertips, eh?
I’ll tell you what you do. You dip into old ladies’ handbags, don’t you? Oh, look, there’s a fiver. Oh, there’s a twenty.
You’d have gone to the Last Supper, you’d nick the plates. ”
“This is outrageous. He just—” Amy turned to Todd. “My mother always used to say how lovely you were when me dad pegged it.
Of course you were. It’s all part of your con artistry. ”
Todd’s eyes widened. “What?
You’re in on it, too? ”
“Me? Oh, yes. Organ grinder, monkey.
”
“I hate to think what that makes me. ”
“An annoying Scouse bird with big hair. ”
“I’m actually from the Wirral, so technically true,” Amy said quietly. “I’ll excuse you, but I am not in on anything.
”
“Yes, because there is nothing to be in on,” Todd added. The woman scoffed. “All right, all right, all right, smashy and nicey. No need to gang up on me.
We’ll just have to get the law to sort it. ”
“The law? ”
“Oh, there’s an echo. ” She smirked.
“So, how much has she left him, exactly? ” She squinted at Todd. “Do you wear contacts? ”
“No.
”
“Oh. Well, then it’s just the pound signs reflecting in your eyes. ” She stood. “I guess I’ll see you in court.
”
After she stormed out, Amy crumpled into her seat. “Babe, Megan, hey. I got you some—” She looked up at Todd. “Can we meet later and we do— keep your voice down.
”
“Oh, sorry. I’m just so excited about later. ”
“All right, come on, girls, stop dawdling. Get to class.
”
Later that morning, Amy headed over to the police station and found Joy at her desk, staring at an open sandwich that was mostly bread crusts. “Well, I have replied to lost property emails today,” Joy said dryly. “Mhm. You know, when I was at police training college, I could only dream of days like this,” Amy replied.
“You’re a little Jane Tennison, aren’t you? Yeah, minus the drinking problem. ”
“Really? Well, I don’t know about that.
”
“Oh. ” Joy held up the sandwich. “Well, this looks nice. Mhm.
Years since I’ve had an open sandwich. ”
“Is that what we call it, is it? Just ran out of bread. ”
“I was obsessed with Jane Tennison when I was growing up, you know.
”
“I bet you were obsessed with the actress more like. Mind you, who doesn’t love a bit of Jane Melani? ”
“Well, I did end up doing a job, I suppose. Oh, yeah.
That dead famous episode of Prime Suspect where she gets put in charge of lost property. ” Joy smiled. “Do you fancy wearing this open sandwich? It’ll be preferable to eating it, eh?
”
“Mhm. I’ll see you back at work in ten, anyway. Oh, I’ll get it. ” Amy stood as a customer approached the counter.
“I don’t know. You do anything to avoid my food. ”
“What is it with my food? Who, me?
”
“Mhm, you. ”
“As if. Wrong lady. ” Amy turned to the newcomer.
“Oh, hey you. Hi, yeah. Oh, all right, yeah. Sorry for interrupting.
I don’t think somebody’s borderline minging. It’s all right then. No, not really. I need to speak to Betsy quick.
”
Betsy appeared, looking flustered. “All right, Bets, are you okay? Um, look, I really need your help. Oh, hi.
Spilled peroxide all down me top. I’m going to have to change it. Flaming stinks. ”
“What’s happened?
” Amy asked. “I’m sorry. I’ve done something terrible. You have to believe me, it was an accident.
I knocked it when I was cleaning. It’s all smashed. I’m so sorry. ”
Betsy sighed.
“Oh, no, don’t worry. I mean, we can replace the frame. ”
Amy’s face fell. It was a photo of her and Adam at their wedding.
“I feel like I’ve jinxed your marriage or something. ”
“What? Oh, no. Don’t be daft.
It was jinxed years ago. ”
“Really? ”
“Well, I’m joking. Uh, yeah, it’s fine, you know, it’s just glass, that’s all.
It’s school. Hello. Yeah, speaking. Oh, is she all right?
Or should I come down? All right, yeah. Okay, yeah, fine. I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Yeah, all right, cheers. Bye-bye. Bye. ”
“What’s happened?
” Amy asked. “I don’t know. Lily’s crying at the school, and she won’t say why. ”
“Right, well, let’s get down there, then.
Quick. ”
“Oh, no, you don’t have to call me. No, no, no, no. Shona would want me there.
I’m not taking no for an answer. And anyway, look how good I am at cleaning. ” Betsy gestured at her stained top. “All me top, I have to change that.
Have to change it later. Come on. Come on, let’s go. ”
At the school, they found Lily sitting outside the office, sullen.
“Josh is not paying you enough,” Amy said gently. “Sorry? ”
“Oh, it’s just you in the reduced stuff, that’s all. ”
“Frugal’s my middle name,” Lily muttered.
A lad walked past, and Lily called out, “I know I’ve forgotten my wallet at the flat. Oh, you can pay with my phone if you want. Yeah, but um, it’s not working properly. I’ll pop back later.
Do you want to lend me a tenner, mate? ”
The lad looked at her. “Uh, the correct word is borrow, and no, I don’t, thank you. ”
“I was only being nice.
Please don’t put yourself out on my account. ”
“Not as nice as whoever it was that gave you that massive bruise on your neck, though. ” He smirked. “Do you think you might be pregnant?
”
Lily’s face went red. “You shut your winching little grid for once in your life. Hey, you capable of that? I don’t know.
I’ll tell you what, sunshine. No, you know what I’ll tell you. There’s only one wincher here. You keep your nose in your business and I’ll keep my side of the street clean.
Okay? ”
“Might need a brush for that, mate. ”
“Is everything all right with you two? ” Joy asked, stepping out.
“Don’t tempt me, fella,” Lily said through gritted teeth. “And some concealer for your finger. I would take that brush and I would crack it over your tatty ass, mate. Back off, mate.
”
“What’s going on? ” Amy asked. “He’s a liability, mouth on him. ”
“He’s a kid?
He didn’t sound much like a kid when he was asking me if I was pregnant. ”
“What’s he talking about, mate? ”
“It was a joke, because he didn’t have any money and I offered to lend him a tenner. All he did was give me abuse.
Same as morning. ”
“You were leaning on the hearse,” the lad said. “Leaning on the hearse? I was just stood by it.
You little liar. ”
“Told you I was saying you were younger than him. Didn’t I offer to lend him a tenner? ” Lily looked at Amy.
“Well, yeah, he did,” Amy confirmed. “See? ”
“And you can’t really take the moral high ground when you’re walking around with a great big hickey on your neck like a lovesick schoolgirl,” the lad shot back. Joy stepped in.
“In future, if you’ve got a problem with him, speak to me. I’ll sort it out instead of showing yourself up in the two-for-one aisle. ”
“It’s not two for one,” Lily muttered. “Well, it should be.
”
“I beg your pardon? ”
Amy changed the subject as they walked away. “I mean, I wouldn’t say it’s a date. ”
“Of course it’s a date, innit, Bethan?
” Lily said. “Did he say the word date, though? No, he didn’t. Well, lads don’t, do they?
And girls don’t, to be honest. ”
“You know what? I’m having second thoughts about the whole thing. ”
“But he likes you.
I mean, you get the vibe that he likes you. ”
“Well, yeah, we had a mint time at the beach show yesterday, but look, it’s like he looks at me as a laugh, like a mate, you know? And he’s not long been out of a relationship with that annoying liar. ”
“She’s not annoying.
Deedee’s nice. But she’s in Singapore, so it’s not like you’re treading on anybody’s toes. They are split up, right? ”
“I don’t think so.
And he’s asked you to a party. Yeah, a hundred percent a date. ”
Later, Lily sat with Amy in the cafe. “I thought everything was sorted now.
I got you cup thingy. ” Amy held up the metal cup. “It’s not a cup thingy, it’s an aquamarine. Get it right.
”
“Oh, it’s not even that. Right. Listen. When I was at school, there was this one girl, Tiffany Murgatroyd.
Oh, she was a right cow. Really had it in for me, she did, her and a gaggle of mates. Made my life hell. Nothing I said, nothing I did, nothing I wore was ever good enough for that gang of witches.
You know what I’m saying, Lols? ”
“It’s a bit like that at our place. ”
“Is it? ”
“They all just take the mick.
How are you? Why? Because I’ve got a fake. Because Dad was too tight to buy me the real one.
I thought they were joking at first, but they won’t let it drop. They’re supposed to be my mates. Some mates they are, right? ”
Amy shook her head.
“It’s really sad, that, innit? ”
“For me? ”
“No. Not for you, for them.
So what? They’ve got some stupid cup things to drink some pathetic drink out of. Big deal. Do you know what they’ve not got?
A loving family like you do. And that’s way more important than any stripy recycled metal rubbish in the world, innit? ”
Lily smiled weakly. “Great.
Thank you. ”
Later, Joy came in, looking thoughtful. “So, how are you feeling about tomorrow? The restorative justice meeting?
”
“Yeah, not bad, actually. Not too bad. Just want to know why the guy left me for dead. ”
“Million-dollar question.
”
Outside, Todd ran into them. “Hey. Sorry. Was everything okay between you and Will Driscoll earlier?
You didn’t look very happy. ”
“Oh, yeah. Yeah, nothing I can’t handle. Just typical teenage boy stuff.
Coursework’s late. Blah, blah, blah. ”
“Speaking of teenage boys—” Joy started. “He’s been acting really weird around me recently,” Amy said.
“Really? ”
“He can’t stand me. I offered to help him with the last bit of his coursework, because I thought he was struggling, but he didn’t want to know. He was quite off with me, actually.
”
“Do you want me to have a word with him? ” Joy asked. “I don’t think it’s all about you. You know, who was it who once said, ‘It’s better to be talked about than not’?
”
“Oscar Wilde. Though, actually, you’re paraphrasing. ”
“Yeah, I know. I just thought I’d rewrite it for him.
”
“No, I can cope with him. How pathetic would that be? Running into my boyfriend every time a kid so much as gives me the evils. ”
At the office, Todd was on edge.
“You’ve heard what she said, didn’t you? Of course he did. Legal action. I’m going to have to engage a solicitor, take some advice.
”
“What does Adam say? He seems like a nice chap,” George offered. “I could lose everything. ”
“Hey.
Talk like that is banned,” Amy said firmly. “She’s just jealous because you were nicer to the old girl than she was, and you’re reaping the rewards. ”
“Yeah, but I’m not interested in having her money. ”
“Don’t look a gift horse off its what’s-its.
You can’t help it if you’re a very nice person and she’s toxic and a certain mother has seen through it. ” Amy glanced at Todd. “What do you think about it, Todd? About the whole situation.
”
Todd shrugged. “I can see both sides, I guess. Sorry, I need a whiz. ”
Later that evening, Amy stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her dress.
“Oh, you don’t think this is too much for a student party, here? ”
“No, you look amazing,” Joy said. “Try and think of it as a party, not a student party. ”
“Oh, yeah.
”
“Okay. Come on. We’ll be late for registration. ”
“But what do you mean?
”
Amy’s phone buzzed. “Hey. You singing at Leanne’s online tonight? ” Someone asked.
“I’m just going to hang here for a bit, if that’s all right. I’ve not made my mind up yet. I’m on a bit of a roll. ”
“Okay.
It’s your call. ”
Later, Lily walked into Adam’s flat. “Was that my dad going out just then? ”
“Oh, yeah, yeah.
Did you not hear him? He did shout out. ”
“No, I have the music on. What are you watching?
” Lily flopped onto the sofa. “Oh, just some wildlife rubbish. Glad I don’t live in the Serengeti. ”
“Hey.
I was thinking. Do you know what I did to them bullies that time? Yeah, um, Tiffany Murgatroyd. Yeah, that’s the one.
Her and her pals. Well, I’ve got the perfect way of dealing with people like that. ”
“What do you do? ”
“If your mates ever say anything vile to you ever again—uh-huh—smack them in the face.
Show them who’s boss. And if that fails, well, try knocking their teeth out with your aquamarine tube. ”
“You’re hilarious. ”
“Life, it’s all about survival of the fittest.
Come here. Come here. ”
The door swung open. “Show yourself, Mark.
”
Mark stepped in, looking sheepish. “I’m just showing myself. Just had a phone call off my friend Gary. ”
“I can explain,” Amy said from the doorway.
“I don’t want an explanation, I want a promise. ”
“Oh, it was just— say you won’t show me up like that again, okay? ”
“I won’t. ”
“I don’t want Gary telling me to keep you under control.
He spoke weak. On Monday. You know that I won’t put up with any of your rubbish. Right.
You and I both know I won’t. ”
Mark hesitated. “Okay, it was Jake, all right? He was taking the mickey.
”
“About what? ”
“About this. ” He gestured at his neck. “Huh.
” Amy’s face hardened. “I didn’t want any of this. You saying he’s the one who assaulted me last night? ”
“No.
But because it was consensual. Have I got that wrong? ”
“No. Yeah.
It was consensual. ”
“Good, because the way you’re talking makes me sound a bit, you know. ”
“No, I’m not saying that. I mean— what is this?
Your twisted way of saying that you don’t enjoy sex with me? ”
“No, I’m not saying that at all. ”
“I wouldn’t believe you even if you did. Not judging by your responses.
” Mark stepped closer. “Come here. Come here. Love me, don’t you?
Tell me you love me. ”
Amy’s voice cracked. “I love you.
”